Dental health and having healthy teeth is such an important part of overall wellness that it’s too important not to teach our children about it.
From a young age, it’s important that our little ones understand why they need to prioritize taking care of their teeth; brushing, flossing and going to the dentist. When you have a preschooler, the best way for them to learn about how to maintain healthy teeth is to involve dental health in their day-to-day play. The idea is to make it fun but still provide learning opportunities. In this article, we discuss how to teach your kids about having healthy teeth.
5 Ways to Keep Teeth Healthy
- Drink water and limit your intake of sugary foods
- Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Go for regular checkups at the dentist
- Floss and use mouthwash
Make Dental Health Fun
Brushing our teeth is the cornerstone of good oral health, and it’s something that our kids need to make a habit. Make brushing teeth part of their morning and bedtime routine, by reminding them of the value of it. If you make it something they can get excited about, instead of making it sound like a chore, they are more likely to make it a habit for life.
How Long to Brush Your Teeth For Kids
The 2+2 Rule is a great way to remind them how often they should brush their teeth and for how long they should brush their teeth for. It’s 2 times a day for 2 minutes. You can even come up with a song they can sing inside their head as they brush their teeth so they know they are brushing their teeth thoroughly enough. You can also play a fun 2-minute song on your phone.
Bring Toys into Dental Health
Another way to encourage brushing teeth in your preschooler is to buy them fun toothbrushes that look and feel like a toy. You can make them a part of the shopping process for this toothbrush, and change it up from time to time to keep them engaged. If you want to promote healthy teeth activities for preschool, the key is reminding your kids that taking care of themselves is fun and commendable.
Lead by Example
Children mimic what their parents do, so teach them by leading by example. Make brushing and flossing an activity that you actually do together. This will make it a fun, bonding experience and they will be learning in the most effective way, by watching their parents.
Teach Them to Protect Their Teeth
Children love to play, and it’s important that when it’s necessary they protect their teeth during their play. If your child rides a bike, remind them that they need to wear a helmet and if they are playing sports, get them a mouthguard. Teach them about the importance of being careful, and taking precautions so that play and fun can also be safe.
If you’re interested in teaching your children the importance of dental health, it’s also great to take them to a dentist so that they don’t grow up afraid of going for dental checkups. Get in touch with us if you want to bring your child to meet our team, we’d be happy to assist.
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